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LiftSets / Exercises / Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift

Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift

Works the hamstrings. Helped by the glutes and lower back.

Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift, start position, with the working muscles highlighted
Start
Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift, finish position, with the working muscles highlighted
Finish

Bright blue is the target muscle. Darker blue is helping. The app shows this as a moving demo.

Muscles worked

hamstringsgluteslower back

How many reps

GoalReps per set
Strength3-6
Muscle size6-10
Endurance12-20+

Whatever the number, the set should end within a rep or two of the point where you could not do another with good form.

KitMachine
LevelBeginner

What to think about

How to do it

  1. To begin, set the bar on the smith machine to a height that is around the middle of your thighs. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, grasp the bar using a pronated (palms forward) grip that is shoulder width apart. You may need some wrist wraps if using a significant amount of weight.
  2. Lift the bar up by fully extending your arms while keeping your back straight. Stand with your torso straight and your legs spaced using a shoulder width or narrower stance. The knees should be slightly bent. This is your starting position.
  3. Keeping the knees stationary, lower the barbell to over the top of your feet by bending at the waist while keeping your back straight. Keep moving forward as if you were going to pick something from the floor until you feel a stretch on the hamstrings. Exhale as you perform this movement.
  4. Start bringing your torso up straight again as soon as you feel the hamstrings stretch by extending your hips and waist until you are back at the starting position. Inhale as you perform this movement.
  5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Other exercises for the hamstrings

Track it in LiftSets

Log Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift with last time's numbers in front of you, a rest timer on your lock screen and a graph of your progress.

Coming soon to the App Store